Tethering iPhone 3.0

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As many of you know the iPhone firmware 3.0 comes with the Tethering feature which many have wanted, especially those who have unlimited data plan.

For those who do not know, Tethering is the ability to use the iPhone as a 3G (HSDPA) modem for your computer, connected via Bluetooth or USB.

Since I am not using one of the official Apple carrier partner (3 HK) in Hong Kong, I thought I need to modify the IPCC file from 3 HK, in such a way that it have the proper settings for the carrier I use, Smartone-Vodafone.

To get the latest 3 HK IPCC file I wanted to wait until Wednesday after Apple released the official version of iPhone firmware 3.0 when it also updated 3 HK’s IPCC file.

After modifying the file I was worry that I will mess up my iPhone and cannot go back to it original settings as I do not have a Smartone-Vodafone IPCC file from Apple, so I continued my search for a easier solution.

This is when Richard published his post, Enable tethering on iPhone 3.0 and I also read the Engadget article, How to tether your iPhone running OS 3.0 without jailbreaking, for free. Since Engadget also referred to the http://help.benm.at site I felt the MobileConfig file should be safe.

The process is simple, all you need to do is point your browser to http://help.benm.at from Safari on your iPhone. Unfortunately, for me the MobileConfig file at Benm.at uses the wrong settings for Smartone-Vodafone.

Fear not, if you have the same problem with the MobileConfig file of your carrier at Benm.at, you can do what I did below.

I found that a few screen down on the Home page at http://help.benm.at is a link to their MobileConfig Generator.

I used this Generator entering the proper APN for Smartone-Vodafone, turn on Tethering and then click on the Generate button.BTW: there is no need to entering anything for Visual Voicemail, because if your carrier is not one of the official Apple carrier partners you will not have the Visual Voicemail feature.
The custom MobileConfig file will be downloaded and opened in your iPhone.
The Profile will open, now click on the Install button.
Your iPhone will warn you that you are about to install an Unsigned profile, which you acknowledge.
Now go to Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data Network to ensure the settings there are correct. You can use my other post MMS With iPhone 3.0 On iPhone 3G as a guide.

You should see an extra option in your Network settings pane called “Internet Tethering”. Turn is on, connect your iPhone to your computer (Mac in my case) and you should be tethered.

WARNING: if you do not have an unlimited data plan with your 3G mobile carrier, be sure to check the rate of data transmission before you connect your computer. Depending on what you’re running on your computer, connecting your computer to your iPhone may incur a large data usage bill.

WARNING: also note that carrier has the option to terminate such tethering due to fair use. You should check your plan’s Terms of Use for details.

Again please leave comments to share your experience with this technique with fellow users.

Tagged as: 3.0, iPhone 3.0, iPhone 3G, iPhone firmware 3.0, tethering

jrider
The link for the "profile install" at help.benm is deactivated. Does anyone know of another site with the download?
Paul
i use Smartone, and tried this way on my 3.1.2 iPhone. It doesn't work, the internet tethering option is not there. I will downgrade it to 3.0 and try again
Vinko
Paul, Internet Tethering for the iPhone had changed in 3.1.2. I am working with Apple to figure out why some phones (ones purchased from 3 HK) still works and others (purchased via other authorized channels in HK) do not.
Ronald
Thank you for your information blog. I am also using the 3Gs and have Smartone as my mobile operator.

I used similar IPCC file generated from other sites and today, all of a sudden when I was tethering, the connection broke. The tethering options disappeared.

I tried 2 other IPCC generating sites, including http://help.benm.at that you suggested above. Now, Now, when I press the Set Up Internet Tethering button, I get an error msg saying "To enable tethering on this account, contact Smartone.

I think they have found a way to stop us tethering, to get us to subscribe with other data plans..?
Vinko
My tethering function is still operating properly on my iPhone 3GS using the Smartone-Vodafone HSDPA network.

BTW: when you want to BenM.at web site did you choose the Mobileconfigs create option on the page as described in my post, Tethering iPhone 3.0 . You may also want to Reset your Network settings then restart your iPhone to see if that helps.

It is always possible for any carrier to prevent individual customer from tethering their mobile phones to their computer.

In your case, you may need to contact Smartone-Vodafone to ask them to enable to the tethering flag for your account.